Whether you’re just starting out in the biz or a longtime pro, the search for the perfect monologue never ends. Monologues are frequently used in auditions, coaching sessions, and classes, so it’s important to know how to look and where to begin your search.

First of all, you’re starting in the right place—StageAgent has a hugedirectory of monologues, all linked to play or musical study guides. There, you can read the monologues themselves, but also information about the context in which they are spoken, and links to a character analysis and a guide to the play as a whole.

Although that bounty is awesome, it can also be overwhelming. Here are our tips for navigating the extensive StageAgent archives and conducting your own hunt for monologues.

Read a lot of plays.

There’s no shortcut here—you’ve got to read plays. The most unique pieces are discovered by you, not a coach or a book.

SA TIP: If you don’t know where to start, think of a stage actor who is similar in type to you.

I think it is safe to say — at least, here in New York — that we have finally settled into the summer. It is warm outside, people are heading off to the beach, and the ice-cream trucks are playing their music loudly in the streets. After the winter we just suffered, I am so grateful for the summer sun! In fact, yesterday I was in upstate New York on a road trip to see the lovely Kate Baldwin in The Berkshire Theatre Group‘s production of Bells Are Ringing. As my friends and I were eating delicious soft serve and strolling through Pittsfield Park after the matinee, we stumbled upon a free outdoor production of Romeo and Juliet. It was packed with people – tourists, locals, and families — all eating picnics and chatting under the beautiful sky waiting for the actors to begin! It got me thinking about how wonderful outdoor theatre really is AND how wonderful it is that outdoor performances are located in so many communities around the world. For centuries, most theatre was performed in the open air,

When I first started coming to New York as a little girl, going to the theatre was truly an event. My mom, who was not one to dress up, would always put on a nice outfit and help me get ready. We would put on our Sunday best and walk to the theatre in the hopes of finding a bit of escape or, perhaps, a chance to reflect on something more difficult. Going to the theatre was different from going to the movies or going out to dinner. What truly made it different, aside from the form of entertainment presented, was the fact that it felt like something “grown ups” did. Men and women took the time to appreciate the art form and, most importantly, they showed it the respect it deserved. That means they showed up on time. They honored the beauty of the theatre by matching the lovely aesthetic with their own adornment. Most importantly, they left their work and lives behind them and focused on the show.

There were no sippy cups for wine. There were no cell phones. It was simply a chance for people to sit back,

StageAgent members ‘fan’ their favorite shows over 1000 times per week. As a result, we get a good sense of what shows the theatre community really likes. I’ve personally been curious if the same shows that are popular in the San Francisco Bay Area are also popular in other parts of the country and the world.

For this post, I’m taking a look at the top eight most popular musicals, as voted by StageAgent members. While the current top eight are all certainly well-known shows, it’s impressive to see the diversity of composer and genre. Big-time composers such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Alan Menken and Stephen Sondheim are all represented. But no one composer currently dominates the top eight. Genres run the range from dramas to comedies and everything in-between.

Want your say? Make sure to visit the show database and fan your favorite shows! Without further adieu, here is the list of most popular musicals!